As drivers are being increasingly warned of rising fuel prices in the next few months, the clever idea might be to opt for a smart fortwo.

The Office for National Statistics has said that the price of petrol products coming out of refineries has risen by 2.3 per cent in the last month meaning motorists will be looking to drive economically.

Economical driving is at the forefront of the smart fortwo’s technology as the little car can drive long distances on a small amount of petrol.

As buyers will see in the new smart fortwo adverts, the car can travel from London to Edinburgh (433 miles) on just a single litre of petrol - a huge advantage considering today’s petrol prices.

Running on three-cylinder engines and a capacity of under one litre, the compact engines are light and offer low fuel consumption and low emissions.

Customers can choose between two petrol engines offering 61bhp or 71bhp or they can opt for a turbo petrol engine offering 84bhp.

Visit thesmart.co.uk for more information on the range.

The smart car is proving its intelligence by patrolling the roads around a school near Harrow.

Teachers have received complaints that traffic could cause safety issues for pupils near Longfield School in North Harrow and the council have responded.

A smart car - complete with a 15 foot extendable CCTV mast - has been employed to watch the roads around the school for any dangerous drivers.

It is hoped that it will stop parents parking near school gates and stopping on yellow lines with their engines on.

Susan Hall, a councillor, said that the smart is "looking after the majority".

According to reports from the BBC, the extra intelligent version of the smart fortwo may also be able to tackle other issues within the community such as fly tipping and graffiti.

The initiative follows two smart cars that were deployed in Westminster last year that monitored the flow of traffic in central London.

Visit thesmart.co.uk for more information on the range

Mercedes-Benz has delivered its 500,000th SLK since it launched in 1996.

The compact roadster attracted 310,000 customers when it first launched and its successor has now been sold 190,000 times.

Dr Klaus Maier, executive vice president of Mercedes-Benz Cars, believes the new generation of SLK roadsters are the sportiest ever.

"I’m confident that the dynamic looks and performance of the new SLK will again set pulses racing among sports cars enthusiasts around the world," he said.

The new generation was launched at the Detroit Motor Show in January and includes a redesigned front and back as well as a new interior featuring a three-spoke steering wheel and a new instrument board.

Also featured in the latest model are new innovations such as the Air Scarf system and direct-steer.

"Thanks to innovative technology such as the vario-roof and the neck-level heating system AIRSCARF, the SLK has long been recognised as a cult car of modern times," said Dr Maier.

Find out more about the Mercedes-Benz SLK by visiting our website

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class and B-Class ranges have now been certified to the international standard ISO 14052 - "Design for Environment".

This makes Mercedes-Benz the only automaker whose products meet this environmental standard.

Responsible motoring and sustainability are key values within Mercedes-Benz and a combination of new production methods, innovative technologies and a whole-life strategy has enabled the firm to achieve this new standard.

The certificate does not just cover emissions; it also looks at the life-cycle of the vehicle meaning the cars must show they are sustainable over longer periods.

Recycling fraction increased by 156 per cent on the A-Class meaning that the number of components made from recyclable materials was very high, for example, plastic surplus from the dashboard can be used in the front wheel arch lining.

A total of 85 per cent of A-Class’s components can be recycled while 95 per cent can be recovered.

Meanwhile, the Rastatt plant that produces the vehicles has innovative environmental measures including the use of water-based paints, clean natural gas and solar energy.

In addition, drive innovations in engines and bodywork as well as natural gas drive and the ECO start-stop function have all helped to reduce the Blue Efficiency model’s impact on the environment.

The new A and B-Class models come to the UK later this year. Visit the model showroom to compare current cars

The Mayor of Middlesbrough has described the smart ed as the "most environmentally friendly car in the world".

Middlesbrough Council is aiming to encourage sustainable motoring by introducing electric smart cars as part of a trial set-up by Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz has introduced several of the vehicles across the UK and the city’s Mayor has been using one for civic duties.

Charged directly from any UK mains socket, the car emits no carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or other harmful emissions.

"These two smart eds show the council is determined to keep up the fight to cut carbon emissions and to tackle climate change - one of the greatest challenges to the future of our planet," the Mayor told the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette.

"It is the car of the future. It is the most environmentally friendly car in the world and it is here in Middlesbrough," he added.

Mercedes-Benz began pilot project in November 2006 that saw about 100 of the smart ed models leased to customers in the UK

Although the smart ed is not available to purchase yet, the regular cars are a smart choice.

Visit www.thesmart.co.uk for more information and build your smart car.

The Mayor of Middlesbrough has described the smart ed as the "most environmentally friendly car in the world".

Middlesbrough Council is aiming to encourage sustainable motoring by introducing electric smart cars as part of a trial set-up by Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz has introduced several of the vehicles across the UK and the city’s Mayor has been using one for civic duties.

Charged directly from any UK mains socket, the car emits no carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or other harmful emissions.

"These two smart eds show the council is determined to keep up the fight to cut carbon emissions and to tackle climate change - one of the greatest challenges to the future of our planet," the Mayor told the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette.

"It is the car of the future. It is the most environmentally friendly car in the world and it is here in Middlesbrough," he added.

Mercedes-Benz began pilot project in November 2006 that saw about 100 of the smart ed models leased to customers in the UK

Although the smart ed is not available to purchase yet, the regular cars are a smart choice.

Visit www.thesmart.co.uk for more information and build your smart car.

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class and B-Class ranges have now been certified to the international standard ISO 14052 - "Design for Environment".

This makes Mercedes-Benz the only automaker whose products meet this environmental standard.

Responsible motoring and sustainability are key values within Mercedes-Benz and a combination of new production methods, innovative technologies and a whole-life strategy has enabled the firm to achieve this new standard.

The certificate does not just cover emissions; it also looks at the life-cycle of the vehicle meaning the cars must show they are sustainable over longer periods.

Recycling fraction increased by 156 per cent on the A-Class meaning that the number of components made from recyclable materials was very high, for example, plastic surplus from the dashboard can be used in the front wheel arch lining.

A total of 85 per cent of A-Class’s components can be recycled while 95 per cent can be recovered.

Meanwhile, the Rastatt plant that produces the vehicles has innovative environmental measures including the use of water-based paints, clean natural gas and solar energy.

In addition, drive innovations in engines and bodywork as well as natural gas drive and the ECO start-stop function have all helped to reduce the Blue Efficiency model’s impact on the environment.

The new A and B-Class models come to the UK later this year. Visit the model showroom to compare current cars

The Mayor of Middlesbrough has described the smart ed as the "most environmentally friendly car in the world".

Middlesbrough Council is aiming to encourage sustainable motoring by introducing electric smart cars as part of a trial set-up by Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz has introduced several of the vehicles across the UK and the city’s Mayor has been using one for civic duties.

Charged directly from any UK mains socket, the car emits no carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or other harmful emissions.

"These two smart eds show the council is determined to keep up the fight to cut carbon emissions and to tackle climate change - one of the greatest challenges to the future of our planet," the Mayor told the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette.

"It is the car of the future. It is the most environmentally friendly car in the world and it is here in Middlesbrough," he added.

Mercedes-Benz began pilot project in November 2006 that saw about 100 of the smart ed models leased to customers in the UK

Although the smart ed is not available to purchase yet, the regular cars are a smart choice.

Visit www.thesmart.co.uk for more information and build your smart car.

The Mercedes-Benz A-Class and B-Class ranges have now been certified to the international standard ISO 14052 - "Design for Environment".

This makes Mercedes-Benz the only automaker whose products meet this environmental standard.

Responsible motoring and sustainability are key values within Mercedes-Benz and a combination of new production methods, innovative technologies and a whole-life strategy has enabled the firm to achieve this new standard.

The certificate does not just cover emissions; it also looks at the life-cycle of the vehicle meaning the cars must show they are sustainable over longer periods.

Recycling fraction increased by 156 per cent on the A-Class meaning that the number of components made from recyclable materials was very high, for example, plastic surplus from the dashboard can be used in the front wheel arch lining.

A total of 85 per cent of A-Class’s components can be recycled while 95 per cent can be recovered.

Meanwhile, the Rastatt plant that produces the vehicles has innovative environmental measures including the use of water-based paints, clean natural gas and solar energy.

In addition, drive innovations in engines and bodywork as well as natural gas drive and the ECO start-stop function have all helped to reduce the Blue Efficiency model’s impact on the environment.

The new A and B-Class models come to the UK later this year. Visit the model showroom to compare current cars

The Mayor of Middlesbrough has described the smart ed as the "most environmentally friendly car in the world".

Middlesbrough Council is aiming to encourage sustainable motoring by introducing electric smart cars as part of a trial set-up by Mercedes-Benz.

Mercedes-Benz has introduced several of the vehicles across the UK and the city’s Mayor has been using one for civic duties.

Charged directly from any UK mains socket, the car emits no carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide or other harmful emissions.

"These two smart eds show the council is determined to keep up the fight to cut carbon emissions and to tackle climate change - one of the greatest challenges to the future of our planet," the Mayor told the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette.

"It is the car of the future. It is the most environmentally friendly car in the world and it is here in Middlesbrough," he added.

Mercedes-Benz began pilot project in November 2006 that saw about 100 of the smart ed models leased to customers in the UK

Although the smart ed is not available to purchase yet, the regular cars are a smart choice.

Visit www.thesmart.co.uk for more information and build your smart car.